We’re here today to honor our service members and to remember their sacrifices they have made and the courage it takes to defend and honor our great country.

When Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” almost 200 years ago, he called America, “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”Those words are as true today as they were then.Throughout this Nation’s history, America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coastguard have bravely answered the call to defend our freedom, to aid our friends and allies, and to turn back aggressors.We can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to the more than 650,000 American service members who died in battle or the 1.4 million who were wounded. We can, however, recognize and thank the 25 million veterans still living today.

These words are inscribed on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.: Quote“Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.”Those words apply equally to many ofour World War I, World War II, VietnamWar, Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq veterans as well. This applies to today’s active duty service members — tomorrow’s veterans — who are helping to maintain peace throughout the world.

Today, it is our privilege to say “thank you” to all of America’s veterans, to let them know that we appreciate them for their service and honor them for their sacrifices.The price of freedom is high. We cannot afford to forget those willing to pay for it.Today, we celebrate America’s veterans for keeping this Nation “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

President Lincoln said“We walk not for ourselves,” “But those who have marched for us.”Whether it’s a physical walk or another gesture of appreciation, we must always remember that each veteran represents an oath taken that included a willingness to die for this country if called upon.

It is what President Lincoln characterized as “the last full measure of devotion.”

Whenever we hear a politician rail about the high cost of veterans’ benefits, it is up to us to remind the critic about the high cost of being a veteran.It is a cost of– blood, sweat, and sacrifice – that has produced and protected the greatest nation on earth.In conclusion, I say

"God bless you all for being here, God bless our veterans and God bless America."